While many of us might be used to ignoring our home office space—except when going through unopened mail—the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has many of us scrambling to find a feasible way to work from home.
To be fair, we've found some pretty creative solutions— we saw people using ironing boards, liquor cabinets, kitchen counter, and more as makeshift desks. But as the days of self-isolation tick by, we've found ourselves wondering if these hacked-together work-from-home scenarios are sustainable.
Well, they're not.
If you're already tired of shutting yourself into the smallest, most depressing part of the house to make that Zoom call, don't fret—we've got the perfect solution. We have scouted the top trending décor on Instagram, with an eye on home offices. If you’re ready to give your workspace the extra boost it needs to get you through what may be some long months ahead, keep scrolling.
1. Snazzy ceilings
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Who says statement designs are only for the walls? Take a leaf from @carriedelanyinteriors‘s book and cover the ceiling with patterned or textured wallpaper.
Making your ceiling interesting is actually a super bold move, but always worth it. When you have a pattern or interest on the ceiling, that gives you the opportunity to leave your walls bare. This way, you’re focused on your work because your eyes are not distracted by designs on the walls surrounding you, but at the same time, the overall room has a sophisticated look.
2. Colorful comfy chair
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If you don’t have a comfy chair to plop down in, then for productivity’s sake, you’re going to need one. So why not make it a stylish choice, like this fun chair featured by @pro.reforma.insta?
Gone are the days when your home office had to have a black leather chair with traditional armrests. The trend to have a comfy chair that speaks to you is hot, so why not try a brightly patterned one? We could all use a burst of energy during this difficult time, and a simple switch of your office chair can make all the difference in increasing your comfort physically and emotionally.
3. Fun and functional floating shelves
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Whether your desk is in need of new shelving or just a new look, these fun and functional floating shelves featured by @oapedagi should do the trick.
These beautiful shelves are useful for organization and provide a modern feel—and by using the space above a desk to hold items, you decrease the footprint you’re taking up. Open shelves bring a minimalist feeling to any space—which is perfect for the home office where you want your mind to be clear and at peace. And isn't that pretty much any home office?
4. Plenty of plants
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If you’re experiencing cabin fever amid this springtime lockdown, then it might just be time to bring the blooming outdoors in with a few hearty houseplants like the ones in this post from @homewithkelsey.
During this time of working inside, why not add a little nature to nurture your soul? There are several plants that still look healthy and vibrant even with minimal light and effort. If you have a small space in your home office, consider adding a couple of small plants or even a hanging plant.
5. Globe desk lamp
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Having a bit of extra light is really important—especially if you plan on spending long days cooped up in your home office. That’s just one of the reasons we fell hard for this gorgeous globe lamp featured by @sun.soul.style.
Homes that have less square footage may not even have a dedicated home office space. Globe desk lamps add the ambient lighting that a smaller desk needs without being too overpowering, and they provide a welcome invitation to work and be surrounded with simplicity and beauty. In today’s world we all need that encouragement.